Kahala theaters will not be reopening soon

Question: Since the catastrophic flooding of Kahala Mall in March, avid moviegoers are still in the dark about the reopening of Consolidated Theatres. We have heard that the theaters will reopen this summer, reopen this fall, reopen at the end of the year, reopen in about a year and never reopen at all. Can you help get an answer?

Answer: The best we can do now is to say the theaters aren't going to be opening any time soon. There is talk of a possible reopening in November, before the holiday season, but that's just speculation at this point.

Representatives of Pacific Theatres Corp., the California-based parent company of Consolidated Theatres, did not return our calls.

"They have a lot of construction to do," including work in the lobby, box office and concession areas, Ron Yoda, general manager of Kahala Mall, said yesterday. "Until they have a schedule for that, I don't think even they know" when the theaters can reopen.

"Pretty much" everything else at the mall is back to normal, although "we're still finishing up stuff in the background," Yoda said.

Q: I went to Ala Moana Beach Park recently and noticed blue signs stating what was prohibited in the park. Dogs were not allowed, but I saw two couples with dogs. One couple walked past three lifeguard stations. I swear the lifeguards looked the other way. I understand their first priority is to protect lives, but I also think beach cleanliness would be paramount on their agenda. Is there a number one can call on the weekends?

A: You should call police, although the problem is that the dogs and their owners might be long gone before they can respond.

Lifeguards "don't have any enforcement authority at all," said Ralph Goto, the city's Ocean Safety administrator.

"The most we can do is advise" someone on what to do, which is either to call the police or the Hawaiian Humane Society, he said.

The primary mission of lifeguards is to watch over the safety of people in the water, Goto said.

For violations of posted park rules, the city Department of Parks and Recreation said police should be called. Call 911.

Mahalo

To all those who helped after someone broke into my house last Friday, stealing my handbag, my husband's backpack, my computer case and other personal items. Later that day, Mark Reigel of Ko Olina Ocean Adventures called and left a message saying he found my computer case floating 100 yards off the Nanakuli shoreline. Everything was damaged, but I was grateful to find out what happened to a few of the stolen items. Crystal and Kimo also helped to return the case to me that day. I really appreciate the kindness and the aloha spirit that they all showed me. -- Vicky Nakasone